Actress Kriti Sanon responded Tuesday to criticism from BJP MP Kangana Ranaut regarding an outfit worn in a Raksha Bandhan jewellery advertisement.
The dispute highlights a recurring tension in India between modern fashion choices and traditional expectations during major cultural and religious festivals.
The controversy began after Ranaut criticized a promotional campaign for the GIVA jewellery brand. Ranaut questioned the choice of attire for the occasion, asking, "Why would you tie your brother a Rakhi in your bikini?" [4]
Ranaut said the advertisement was "creepy" and argued that the bikini-style outfit was inappropriate for the sentiment of Raksha Bandhan [4, 5]. The exchange quickly spread across Indian social-media platforms and national media outlets.
Sanon broke her silence on the backlash by arguing that cultural values are based on sentiment rather than clothing. She said, "Tradition is in the heart, not in the neckline" [3, 5].
Sanon said the meaning of the holiday is not tied to a specific dress code. She said, "The essence of a festival lies in the heart, not in the clothes you wear" [2].
This public disagreement follows a pattern of high-profile debates in India over the intersection of celebrity influence and traditional modesty. While some viewers supported Ranaut's view on cultural propriety, others defended Sanon's right to professional fashion choices in a commercial context.
“Tradition is in the heart, not in the neckline.”
This clash reflects a broader cultural divide in India regarding the evolution of tradition. By framing the debate as a conflict between 'heart' and 'neckline,' Sanon is positioning cultural identity as an internal value rather than a performative one, while Ranaut's critique aligns with a more conservative interpretation of public modesty during religious observances.
